Everest interesting facts and legends. Interesting facts about Everest. Unique profession: climbing guide to the top of the world

The highest peak of our planet Everest, It got its name in 1865 quite by accident: after the British chief of the geodetic service, Sir George Everest. However, neither Nepal nor Tibet were British colonies. The mountain also bears the local name "Mother of the Gods": in Tibetan Chomolungma, in Nepalese Sagarmatha. The border of Nepal and China (Tibet) passes along the top. Climbing can be done from both sides.

A powerful giant with a famous sloping peak - Everest, makes a very strong impression on tourists. In the same row with it there are several more eight-thousanders: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, Manaslu: they are clearly visible from the plane, but Everest stands out even among these giants. This peak is one of the greatest shrines local population, like Mount Kailash - the abode of the gods. But on Kailash, unlike Everest, climbing is prohibited, and the highest peak in the world has become a commercial facility. As of June 2017, a total of 4,833 climbers have climbed Everest, some more than once. 288 people died.

Everest - seabed

The Himalayas began to form very recently - 60 million years ago, after the collision of the Indian and Asian lithospheric plates. Thus, the highest mountains of the world are composed of sedimentary rocks and relatively recently were the seabed. At an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level, nodules with ammonites are found - fossil sea shells.

Unique profession: climbing guide to the top of the world

Most ascents are organized in an organized way: climbers are grouped under the guidance of their own and local mountain guides. There is a special service in Nepal: at the beginning of the season, ladders and ropes are delivered to difficult areas and glaciers, with their help a fragile road for climbers is created. Groups are accompanied by porters, cooks, liaison officers. The chief climbing guide is called a "climing sherpa": he monitors safety directly on the route. The word "Sherpa" means both the people and the specialty, and also serves as a surname. Among the local population, many are associated with tourism, including climbing. Guide Apa Tenzing Sherpa has been to the top of Everest 21 times.

"Jams" at 8000

Hundreds of people go along the classic climbing route during the season. And there is only one way, starting from base camp at an altitude of 5300 to the very top at 8848. These are stairs through glacier cracks and rope railing in vertical sections. At altitude, each movement takes a lot of strength, and therefore occurs in slow motion. Not all tourists are good at climbing equipment, and the ascent and descent take them a lot of time. Many are simply afraid to go through deep cracks along a narrow bridge of stairs. There are also breakdowns: insurance keeps people, but their extraction takes time. Therefore, queues of dozens of people line up near difficult sections.

The Hillary Step, a sheer 13-meter ice section near the very top, enjoys a bad reputation. It was named after the pioneer, New Zealander Edmund Hillary. After the earthquake in 2015, this area was destroyed and turned into an unstable and even more dangerous heap of stones.

Cleaning Everest

In Nepal, a culture of cleanliness is just beginning to take root. In the capital Kathmandu 10 years ago there were no trash cans, everyone threw garbage at their feet. In the evening, homeless people with bags got out of the gates: they collected garbage and received money for it. So far on mountain routes it is the local porters who litter the most. And on Everest, for the first few years of climbing, a huge amount of waste has accumulated: gas cylinders, ropes, food packaging. The first cleaning of the Mountain was organized in 2000 by the famous guide Apa Sherpa. About 3 tons of garbage was taken out. In 2008, he organized the Eco Everest Expedition, which cleared Everest of 13 tons. In 2014, the government of Nepal passed a law requiring climbers to show their used balloons and other rubbish at least 8 kg per person.

Climbing cost

Climbing Everest is the most prestigious and expensive of all. Only one permit costs about $ 12,000. Plus equipment, training, acclimatization, accompanying personnel. Under the new rules, each local member of the expedition must be provided with expensive "extreme" insurance. In total, you need to focus on 50-60 thousand dollars.

Everest without oxygen

The amount of oxygen at different altitudes is very different. Already at 5000 meters, the atmosphere contains half as much oxygen as at sea level. For a person without acclimatization, it is possible to climb here by helicopter only with the condition of a quick descent, staying overnight is mortally dangerous. The height of Everest is 8848 meters: this is the level of long-range aviation routes. But there are professionals who climb here without the use of oxygen cylinders. The first were Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler in 1978. Since then, 208 people have officially made an oxygen-free ascent, including 8 women.

Climate change and brawl on Everest

For recent years The climate of the Himalayas began to change. There is less precipitation. Glaciers are rapidly melting, dips and screes are exposed. At an altitude of 6000 meters there is practically no snow, which made climbing difficult due to rockfalls.

Not all climbers go in groups. The strongest and most professional ones make ascents within the framework of sponsorship programs and do not use the services of local guides.

On April 27, 2013, the top three climbers climbed Everest: Simone Moro, Uli Steck and cameraman Jonathan Griffith. They planned a high-speed ascent without oxygen. On a steep stretch, several stones rolled down from under their feet right onto the Sherpas, who were laying a railing for tourists. Sherpas began to resent. The situation did not lead to dangerous consequences, the climbers initially tried to laugh it off, but about a hundred Sherpas gathered in the high-altitude camp near their tent, who screamed and threatened to kill. At the same time, among the gathered Sherpas were their friends.

At some point, the situation escalated: stones flew into the top three, one of them hit Steck in the face. Moreau dodged a knife that ripped open his backpack. The ascent was cancelled. Uli Steck swore he would never climb Everest again.

It was a real sacrilege: an attack committed on a sacred mountain.

There was a provocation. Three victims are celebrities, and the incident immediately gained worldwide fame. Nepal has lost its status as a reliable country, and 70 percent of Everest climbs have moved to the Chinese side.

Everest did not forgive sacrilege

A year later, on April 18, 2014, an avalanche descended on the Sherpas, who were laying stairs to Everest through the Khumbu icefall. 16 people died, 9 were injured.

Two years later, on April 25, 2015, the world was shocked by the news of a powerful earthquake in the Himalayas. In historical times, cataclysms of this magnitude have not happened. For a mountainous country, this was a disaster. There were many avalanches and rockfalls. Roads collapsed. The system of newly sown terraced fields was destroyed. Temples that stood for several centuries were destroyed in the cities. Several avalanches descended on Everest, at least 19 people died in the base camp alone.

The exact number of those who died as a result of the disaster remained unknown, but at least 10 thousand people.

Many priests - lamas, considered this tragedy the revenge of the Mountain for the conflict fabricated on its slope. Apa Sherpa argues that this peak must be left alone for at least a few years, otherwise humanity will face new shocks.

The strongest climber in the world, Ueli Steck, despite his promise, was planning a new ascent of the highest peak peace. He died on April 30, 2017 during an acclimatization climb to Mount Nuptse, a spur of Everest.

More than 60 years have passed since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first successful conquerors of Mount Everest in history, but the desire to climb it has not diminished over time. We hear countless stories of triumphant, and more recently tragic, attempts to reach the top of the mountain. However, many interesting facts about the mountain remain unknown to many.

10 Mountain Spiders

Photograph: Gavin Maxwell

Even high in the sky, where the rarefied air is very difficult to breathe, we cannot hide from spiders. Euophrys omnisuperstes ("over all"), better known as Himalayan jumping spiders, hide in crevices and nooks and crannies slopes of Everest, making them one of the creatures that live at the highest altitudes on Earth. Climbers noticed them on maximum height at 6700 meters.

The little spiders feed on any stray insects that the winds blow to the top of the mountain. These are actually the only animals permanently residing on such high altitude besides several species of birds. In addition, several previously unnamed grasshopper species were collected during the famously unsuccessful British Everest expedition of 1924 and are now in the British Natural History Museum.

Source 9The two men who scaled the mountain 21 times


Photograph: Mogens Engelund

Two Sherpas, Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi, hold the joint record for most summits of Everest. The couple together managed to reach the top of the mountain an impressive 21 times. Phurba reached the top of the world three times in 2007 alone, while Apa successfully summited the mountain almost every year from 1990 to 2011.

Apa says that over the years he has noticed the obvious changes to Everest caused by global warming. He talked about his concern about the melting snow and glaciers exposing the rock, making it harder to get to the top. He is also concerned about the future of the Sherpa people after they lost own house during flooding caused by melting glaciers. Apa has dedicated several Everest ascents to raising awareness of climate change.

8. The tallest brawl in the world


Photo: Jon Griffith

Climbing Everest is not always the harmonious triumph you might imagine. In 2013, climbers Ueli Steck, Simone Moro and Jonathan Griffith found themselves at the center of a Sherpa scandal after allegedly ignoring an order to stop their climb.

The Sherpas accused the climbers of interfering with them and causing an avalanche that injured other Sherpas laying ropes down the slope. The climbers denied the accusations, and the quarrel turned violent. Sherpas beat the men with their feet, hands and stones, and Moreau said that one of the representatives of the nationality even threatened him with death.

The fight could have ended much worse, but American climber Melissa Arnot advised the trio to flee to their base before the rest of the Sherpas formed a mob and stoned them to death. After the incident, with the assistance of a Nepal Army officer, both sides signed a peace agreement that ended the quarrel.

7. A history of 450 million years


Photo: Tibet Travel

Despite the fact that the Himalayas formed 60 million years ago, the history of Everest is actually much longer. The limestone and sandstone at the top of the mountain were once part of a layer of sedimentary rock below sea level 450 million years ago.

Over time, the rocks from the seabed formed an accumulation that was pushed up at a rate of 11 centimeters per year, eventually forming the modern mountain. The upper parts of Everest now contain marine creature fossils and shell rock that was once at the bottom of the ancient ocean.

Researcher Noel Odell discovered fossils for the first time in rocks ah Everest in 1924, proving that the mountain was once below sea level. The first Everest fossils were mined by Swiss climbers in 1956 and by an American climbing team in 1963.

6 Height Controversy


Photograph: Tom Simcock

What is the actual height of Mount Everest? It depends on which side of the border you are on. China has stated that the height of the summit of Everest is 8844 meters, while according to Nepal, the height is 8848 meters.

The difference is due to the fact that, according to China, the mountain should be measured only by the height of the rocks, excluding meters of snow at the very top. Whether this is a more accurate measurement or not, the international community often includes snow when estimating the height of mountains around the world.

The two countries came to an agreement in 2010, setting an official height of 8,848 meters.

5. The mountain is still growing


Photo: Pavel Novak

Judging by recent measurements, both Chinese and Nepalese may be wrong in their assessment of the height of the mountain.

A team of researchers discovered in 1994 that Everest continues to grow by about 4 millimeters each year. The Indian subcontinent was originally an independent land mass that collided with Asia to form the Himalayas. The lithospheric plates keep moving, making mountains keep growing.

Researchers from the American Millennium Expedition in 1999 placed a global positioning system device near the summit to measure height. Their more accurate measurements due to modern technology have led to the fact that the official height of Everest will soon be changed to 8850 meters. Meanwhile, other tectonic activity is actually causing the height of the mountain to decrease, but the changes combined this moment give rise to mountains.

4. Lots of titles


Photograph: Ilker Ender

Even though most of us know the mountain called "Everest", the people of Tibet continue to call the mountain by its ancient name "Chomolungma" (or "Chomolungma"). The Tibetan name means "Mother Goddess of all mountains". But that's not the only alternative title mountains. In Nepal, the mountain is known as Sagarmatha, which means "Forehead in the sky", and accordingly the mountain is part of the Nepalese "Sagarmatha National Park" (Sagarmatha national park).

The mountain was named Everest only as a result of the fact that British surveyor Andrew Waugh could not find a common local name. After studying maps of the surrounding area and never finding a suitable solution, he named the mountain after the geographer who worked in India, George Everest (George Everest), leader of the British team that first explored the Himalayas. Colonel Everest refused the honor, but the British representatives officially changed the name of the mountain they used to Everest in 1865. They used to call the mountain the 15th Peak.

3. Cork from people


Photo: Ralf Dujmovits

Despite the fact that climbing Mount Everest costs several thousand dollars, the number of people wishing to conquer the mountain is growing every year. In 2012, German climber Ralf Dujmovits took a shocking photo of hundreds of climbers queuing up to reach the summit. Ralph decided to turn back at the South Col of the mountain, due to bad weather conditions and the kind of long queue.

On May 19, 2012, climbers who wanted to visit one of the attractions near the summit had to stand in line for two hours. In just half a day, 234 people climbed to the top of Everest. However, at the same time, 4 people died, which caused great concern about the ascent process. Specialists from Nepal installed new railings that year to eliminate the "human blockage" and are currently discussing the installation at the top of the stairs.

2. The most polluted mountain in the world


Photo: Himalaya Expeditions

Countless photographs document climbers' journey to the summit of Everest, yet we rarely see photographs of what they leave behind. Everest is polluted not only with the corpses of climbers, but also, by some estimates, 50 tons of waste, and every season this number grows. On the slopes you can see a lot of discarded oxygen tanks, climbing equipment and human excrement.

The Eco Everest Expedition has been climbing the mountain every year since 2008 in an attempt to combat the problem, and so far they have collected more than 13 tons of waste. The government of Nepal introduced a new rule in 2014 that requires each climber to bring 8 kilograms of waste when descending the mountain or they will lose their $4,000 deposit.

Artists working on the Everest 8848 Art Project turned 8 tons of waste, including broken tents and beer cans, into 75 works of art. 65 porters worked on two spring expeditions to clear the rubbish, and the artists turned it into sculptures to draw attention to the dirtiness of the mountain.

1. It's not the highest mountain


Despite the fact that Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth from sea level, Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano in Hawaii, holds the record for the highest mountain in the world.

Everest's peak is at a higher altitude, but this does not mean that the mountain is actually higher. Mauna Kea reaches a height of only 4205 meters above sea level, but the volcano stretches under the surface of the water for 6000 meters. Measured from its base at the bottom of the ocean, its height is 10,200 meters, exceeding the height of Everest by more than a kilometer.

In fact, depending on how you measure, Everest is not the most high mountain and not the highest point on Earth. Chimborazo (Chimborazo) in Ecuador reaches only 6267 meters above sea level, but this is the highest point from the center of the Earth. This is due to the fact that Chimborazo is only one degree south of the equator. The earth in the center is slightly thickened, so the sea level of Ecuador is located further from the center of the planet than in Nepal.

There are many high mountains in the world that climbers managed to conquer. However highest mountain in the world remained unconquered for a long time.

Of course, we are talking about Everest or, as this mountain is also called, Chomolungma.

Only in 1953 did a man finally manage to set foot on its top. How these events took place, and other interesting facts about the highest mountains, we will tell in this article.

The highest mountain in the world

The highest mountain in the world is Chomolungma (Everest). Its height is 8,848 m above sea level.

At the same time, it is worth paying attention to the clarification “above sea level”, because if you measure the height of the mountain from the core, then the record will belong to the extinct volcano Chimborazo, in Ecuador.

Everyone knows that our planet has the shape of an ellipse. It follows from this that the mountains located near the equator are higher than in other zones of the Earth.

In this regard, Chimborazo is closer to the convex center of the Earth than any other mountains, including Everest.

The most difficult mountain for climbers

Given all these facts, the question involuntarily arises: why is Everest the most popular mountain in the world, while the Ecuadorian Chimborazo (6384 m) remains in the shadows?

In many ways, this is due to the difficulties in climbing Chomolungma.

Let's imagine that we want to conquer both of these peaks.

Climbing Chomolungma

In order to climb Everest, you will initially have to walk to the base camp.

This section of the journey will take you about 10 days. After that, it will take another month and a half for only one acclimatization!

Then you will have to ascend directly to the summit for about 9 more days. And this is the most difficult part of the journey.

Climbing Chimborazo

Now let's imagine how long it will take to conquer Chimborazo.

When climbing, acclimatization will take you no more than 2 weeks, and the path to the top will not exceed 2 days.

From all that has been said, we can conclude that after Everest, climbing the Ecuadorian peak will seem like an evening walk to you.

"above" and "below" sea level

So, Everest is the highest point on the planet above sea level.

However, speaking of the highest mountain in the world, and taking into account some other factors, it is appropriate to recall one more mountain.

If you measure absolute altitude from the base to the top, in which case the highest mountain will be Mauna Kea, located on the territory of Hawaii.

It may be difficult for some to understand what is at stake, so let's deal with this confusion in order.

Unlike Everest, most Mauna Kea mountains is below the surface of the water.

Thus, if we measure the height from the base (under water) to the top, it will be 10203 m, which is 1355 m higher than Chomolungma.

Mauna Kea is an extinct volcano last time erupted about 4600 years ago. An interesting fact is that there are 13 telescopes on the top of this mountain.

This is due to the fact that there is a very low level of humidity and clear skies. Thanks to this, astronomers can track celestial objects while studying outer space.

The highest mountains on every continent

1. Europe - Elbrus (5 642 m)
2. Africa - Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
3. Asia - Everest (8,848 m)
4. South America - Aconcagua (6,962 m)
5. North America - McKinley (6,190 m)
6. Antarctica - Vinson Massif (4,892 m)
7. Australia - Kosciuszko (2228 m)

And now let's go back to the highest mountain in the world - Chomolungma, and find out not only its geographical features, but also how people conquered it.

Chomolungma is located on the Mahalangur Himal range in the Himalayas. She takes so large area that its base is located on the territory of Nepal, and the Tibet Autonomous Region.

For centuries, the mountain attracted the attention of many people who wanted to be on its top. As a result, hundreds of climbers who tried to conquer Chomolungma died.

Attempts to conquer Chomolungma

It is officially believed that Briton George Mallory was the first climber to attempt to climb the mountain. However, he and his partner never succeeded in achieving their goal.

They died on one of the slopes of the Chomolungma back in 1924. It is interesting that their bodies were discovered only in 1999. According to experts, they were only 200 meters short of conquering the mountain peak.

After this expedition, many more daredevils tried to get to the peak of Everest, but they all either died or returned back, not daring to set foot on the most dangerous areas way.

As mentioned earlier, climbing Mount Chomolungma is accompanied by many different difficulties:

• High rarefaction of the atmosphere (lack of oxygen);
• Low temperature (below -50°С);
• Hurricane winds, as a result of which the human body feels frosts down to -120 ° C;
• Solar radiation;
• Frequent avalanches, steep slopes, falling into crevices.

First ascent of the highest mountain in the world

When did the first successful ascent to the highest mountain on earth take place?

And it happened just over half a century ago.

On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary, together with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, were able to conquer Everest, as a result of which they became the first people to reach its summit.

It is worth noting that before going on an expedition, they carefully prepared for it.

The climbers took oxygen devices with them and chose the most convenient route. Having reached a height of 8500 m, they set up a tent for an overnight stay.

When they woke up in the morning, the climbers found that their boots were covered with ice.

It took them about 2 hours to unfreeze their shoes and make the last push to conquer Everest.

A few hours later they were already at the top, where they spent about 15 minutes. During this time, the climbers took several photos and planted a flag.

Having descended to the ground, they immediately became real heroes. The entire world press wrote about their feat, wanting to know all the details of the expedition.

In subsequent years, climbers from different countries conquered Chomolungma. The first woman to reach the top was the Japanese Junko Tabei (1976).

Despite the fact that today hundreds of people continue to die on Everest, this mountain still causes the greatest interest extreme lovers.

It is curious that Chomolungma was conquered in a variety of ways. They climbed it without oxygen masks, descended from its summit on skis and snowboards, and also competed in the time spent on its ascent.

An interesting fact is that the youngest person to visit the highest mountain in the world was the 13-year-old Indian girl Purna Malawath, and the oldest person was 72-year-old American Bill Berg.

According to official figures, more than 260 people died on the slopes of the mountain, and about 8,300 climbers have already conquered the top of the Chomolungma.

Who knows what other records will be set in the future, but we can say with certainty that Everest will forever remain the most popular mountain in the world.

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It has been 60 years since Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary became the heroes who first summited Everest, but the desire to climb the mountain grows stronger over the years. Often, attempts to conquer the summit ended tragically, as evidenced by the news reports. Sometimes people come to the mountains to relax. For this, the most luxurious ski resorts in the world are being built. But today we will look at 10 little-known facts about Everest.

Even high in the mountains you can meet spiders. Himalayan jumping spiders (euophrys omnisuperstes) (standing above everything) hide in the crevices of the mountains and are the highest inhabitants of the mountains. Some noticed them at an altitude of 6700 m.

Spiders feed on insects carried by the wind. In addition to spiders, some species of birds live on the summit. During a British expedition in 1924, grasshoppers were found and are now in the British Museum.

Apa Sherpa and Pkhurba Tashi, representatives of the Sherpas, hold a joint record for the number of ascents. They conquered the summit 21 times. In 2007, Phurba reached the very top three times, and Apa conquered the summit between 1990 and 2011. Apa talked about the changes on Everest caused by global warming. He expressed concern about the melting ice and snow, which made climbing more and more difficult. With his ascents, Apa tried to draw public attention to the changing climate.

In 2013, Ueli Stack, Jonathan Griffith and Simon Moreau got into a serious fight with the Sherpas, who asked for the expedition to be suspended. The Sherpas blamed the climbers for causing the snowfall. When the accusations were ignored, the brawl took a serious turn. The Sherpas began to beat the men with stones, and one was even threatened with murder. Things could have ended worse if the American Melissa Arno hadn't warned them to return to the camp before everyone was beaten to death. After this incident, a Nepalese army officer witnessed the signing of a peace agreement that allowed the dispute to be settled.

The Himalayas began to form 60 million years ago, but the rocks of Everest are much older. The upper layers of Everest contain particles of shells and sea creatures that were once part of the ocean. For the first time such fossils were discovered in 1924 by Noel Odell, who was able to prove that formerly mountain was below sea level.

6. Height of Everest

The exact height of the famous mountain depends on your location. The Chinese claim that the height is 8844 meters, but the inhabitants of Nepal call another figure - 8848 meters.

The inaccuracies stemmed from the fact that, according to China, the height of the mountain should be measured without taking into account the snow cap at the very top. However, regardless of this, the world community has agreed to include snow in determining the height of mountains around the world.

In 1994, studies showed that Everest grows by 4 millimeters every year. The continental plates are still moving, causing mountains to grow.

In 1999, members of the American expedition " Millennium"placed a satellite device at the top to measure the height. The exact height of Everest is 8850 meters. The mountain continues to grow despite tectonic activity, which can affect the measurements by decreasing.

The indigenous people of Tibet have called the mountain for centuries Chomolungma which means " Mother Goddess of all mountains". It is known to the Nepalese as " Sagarmatha". Today, the mountain is part of national park Sagarmatha in Nepal. The mountain got its name in honor of George Everest, a geographer who conducted his research in India.

Despite the fact that the "walk" on Everest is not cheap, yet many people are trying to conquer its summit. In 2011, Ralph Dujmovitz photographed hundreds of thousands of people lined up in a long line to climb the mountain.

To make the ascent less tiring, specialists from Nepal have made railings, and at the moment the possibility of constructing stairs is being discussed.

2. Mountains of garbage

Climbers leave behind a lot of garbage. It is estimated that there are approximately 50 tons of garbage on the mountain, and this figure continues to grow. The Eco-Everest expedition, which managed to collect 13 tons of garbage, is struggling with this problem. A climber may not be returned a deposit of $4,000 if he does not bring 8 kilos of garbage after descending the mountain.

Despite the fact that Everest seems to be considered the highest mountain, Hawaiian volcano Mauna Key disputes this championship - if you measure the volcano from the foot to the bottom of the ocean, then its height (10200 meters) will exceed Everest.

A fascinating documentary about the terrible and tragic attempts to conquer Everest.

Everest - the highest mountain in the world

Everest (or, as it is called in Nepal, Chomolungma) rises to 8848.43 meters above sea level. Climbing Everest is a real dream for every climber, but, no doubt, also a very dangerous adventure, since a huge number of people died trying to conquer this peak. The highest point on our planet is known today to every schoolchild. But the history of the discovery of Everest and the fate of many brave people who tried to conquer it often remain a mystery to the general public.

infographics

The shocking truth

Resembling in shape a pyramid that has risen many kilometers above sea level due to the movement of lithospheric plates, Everest rises above Asia right on the border of China and Nepal. This peak is rightfully considered one of the most magnificent in beauty, but at the same time, tragic and dangerous places in the world. Its rocky silhouette invariably attracts numerous brave and courageous conquerors who try to reach the summit at the cost of great efforts, and sometimes even at the cost of their own lives. Unfortunately, many climbers have remained forever among the snows and rocky gorges. More than 235 climbers and locals have died while trying to conquer the highest peak the globe(although the exact number of those who died today remains unknown, because not all of them officially registered their ascent). The difficulty lies not only in the increased atmospheric pressure and rarefied air, which cannot be breathed for a long time, but also in the danger of the route itself. Nevertheless, despite all these difficulties, many people continue to risk their lives in order to spend a few minutes on top of the world. There is something in it that irresistibly attracts brave climbers ...

How much does it cost to climb Everest?

This question is very popular today. Everyone knows that high-altitude expeditions require not only serious physical and tactical training of the participants, but also considerable investments. The average price is about $30,000 if you go by yourself or with your organized and independent group. travel companies offer their own expeditions, and the price for their services is about $60,000. The price of a VIP level expedition, which includes permanent Internet access and telephone connection, often higher than $90,000. In general, it all depends on the guide and the quantity and quality of services included in the package. However, when choosing an instructor and a company, it is important to consider not only the price and image of the company. It is always best to study this issue on your own and very carefully. In particular, it will not be out of place to pay attention to whether the package includes the cost of the flight and the services of Sherpas. The fact is that sometimes you have to pay for the participation of local “helpers” on the spot when you are already at the base camp, therefore, in order to avoid unexpected surprises, it is always better to study the details in advance.

Why so expensive?

The government of Nepal imposes a mandatory fee on all foreigners who wish to climb Mount Everest. Depending on the size of the group and the time period, the fee can vary from $11,000 to $25,000.

Many readers will probably be indignant: “Where are these prices from??!” But, on the other hand, judge for yourself: even with such fees on the slopes - tens of tons of garbage; when climbing Everest, more than 200 people died ... Imagine what would happen if this fee was not charged - the number of climbers, of course, would increase dramatically, and the peak would begin to look like something terrible.

Another important point is the correct selection of the necessary equipment, which also costs a lot of money. The cost of guides, instructors and sherpas often depends on the size of the group, so prices change from year to year.

Everest Facts

1. Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain chain, is 29,035 feet (8848 meters) high.
2. A sedentary volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, Mauna Kea ranks first in the ranking of the highest mountains in the world, not counting sea level.
3. Everest is more than 60 million years old, it was formed due to pushes of the Indian tectonic plate in the direction of the Asian. Due to seismic activity in the region, Everest is about a quarter inch (0.25") taller every year.
4. The peak is located right on the border line of Nepal to the south and China, also known as Tibet, to the north.
5. Chomolungma (translated from Tibetan) literally means "holy mother of the universe."
6. To keep warm, climbers are encouraged to use oxygen at the summit. As for food, it is good to eat a lot of rice and noodles even before the ascent, since you will need a serious supply of energy for such an expedition. On average, climbers burn over 10,000 calories daily, and this number doubles while climbing to the top; throughout the expedition, its participants lose from 10 to 20 pounds of weight.
7. In the entire history of attempts to conquer the summit, it is officially known that 282 people (including 169 Western climbers and 113 Sherpas) died on Everest from 1924 to August 2015. If we talk about the causes of death, then 102 climbers were injured while trying to climb without the use of additional oxygen. Most of the bodies to this day remain in the snow and gorges, although Chinese officials reported that many bodies were removed. Snowfalls and rockfalls are the most common cause of death, followed by avalanches in second place and altitude sickness in third place.
8. The youngest person ever to reach the summit is an American high school student named Jordan Romero. He made his ascent at the age of 13, on May 23, 2010 (he climbed the peak from the north side).
9. 14 climbers managed to cross from one side of the peak to the other.
10. Wind speeds at the summit can reach 200 miles per hour.
11. On average, it takes about 40 days to complete the ascent. The fact is that the human body needs some time to get used to being at such an altitude above sea level and acclimatize immediately before climbing.
12. Back in 1978, Reinold Messner and Peter Hubler (Italy) were the first climbers who managed to climb the peak of Everest without the use of additional oxygen in cylinders. Later, 193 climbers who followed suit also managed to reach the summit without resorting to additional oxygen (this is 2.7% of all ascents to the peak). There is 66% less oxygen in every breath at the top of Everest than in a breath taken at sea level.
13. To date, there have been about 7,000 ascents of the peak of Everest, more than 4,000 people have participated in all known routes.
14. The oldest climber who managed to conquer the mountain was Miura Yuchiro (Japan), who made the ascent at the age of 80 on May 23, 2013.
15. There are 18 different official climbing routes to the summit of Everest.
16. The first woman to summit Everest was Japanese climber Janko Tabei (1975).
17. In order not to fall off rocks and glaciers, climbers use nylon ropes with a diameter of 10 millimeters. Special metal spikes (“cats”) are put on the soles of the boots to prevent slipping. In addition, ice axes are used, which can stop a possible fall on a rocky and icy surface. In terms of clothing, climbers opt for thick suites that are filled with goose feathers.
18. Sherpas are the collective name for people who live in western Nepal. Initially, several centuries ago, they migrated from Tibet. Today, they help climbers prepare for the ascent by helping carry food, tents, and other supplies to intermediate camps located above the base camp.
19. Climbers begin using oxygen tanks at 7,925 m (26,000 ft). but in this way only 915 m (3000 ft) of difference is achieved in how they feel. In principle, at an altitude of 8230 m (27,000 ft), a person would feel like being at 7315 m (24,000 ft) above sea level, which, in fact, would not be significant difference in the well-being of climbers.
20. Peak temperatures can drop as low as -62C (80F below zero).

Story

Everest appeared on the earth's surface about 60 million years ago. The mountain has quite long history"the first climbers", starting with an unsuccessful attempt, which was made back in 1921 by the British expedition of George Mallory and Guy Bullock. Much later, in 1953, the highest peak of the Earth was nevertheless conquered by a brave bunch of Italian climbers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The history of ascents and new achievements continues to this day. But the highest peak in the world is not only vantage point or a serious challenge for climbers, but also a home for the highlanders, the Sherpas, who have lived there for over 500 years. This small nation is the best guides and porters for tourists and professionals who decide to defy fate and climb the highest and most difficult peak of our planet to climb.

Where is Everest located?

Everest is not only the highest mountain, it is also the highest point located on the border of two countries. The mountain is located between the territories of China and Nepal, but its peak is in China, or rather, in Tibet. autonomous region. Everest is part of the Himalayas and is only one of the nine peaks of this mountain range. Interestingly, the Himalayas are made up of the thirty-nine highest high peaks in the world, so Everest has many younger "brothers". Together they form a fence between the plateaus of the Tibetan and Indian subcontinental plates.

The entire mountain system is located in South Asia and passes through Pakistan, Bhutan, Tibet, India and Nepal. This was the reason that Everest has several names. In Tibet it is called "Chomolungma", the Chinese version of the name is "Shèngmǔ Fēng". The locals in Darjeeling call it "Deodungha" which translates to "Holy Mountain". For many years it was believed that the highest peak of the world is in the Andes, and only in 1852, a mathematician from India was able to open the world to really the highest mountain.

How did he get his name?

The highest mountain was discovered by George Everest, who served as the Indian General Secretary, in 1841. Since then official name which was given highest peak Earth, came from the name of the discoverer. Prior to that, in different countries the peak was called differently, based on local languages ​​and dialects. But since the highest point of the planet should have a single and understandable name for everyone, the name of the one who officially discovered it became recognized at the international level.

What country is Everest in?

At various points in its history, Everest has been considered part of both China and Nepal. After the annexation in May 1959, relations between Nepal and China became absolutely friendly, and the fact that the border between the countries is at its peak highest mountain world, is a symbolic confirmation of this. Therefore, theoretically, the peak that is closest to space does not belong to one particular country, but is the common property of Nepal and China. Every tourist who decides to at least look at Everest from the outside, not to mention climbing to the top, can choose at his own discretion which side is more convenient to do it. But it is fair to say that the view from Nepal is much more beautiful, and climbing is an order of magnitude easier.

What is the height of Everest?

Imagine that you live in a world where there is no Mount Everest, it has not yet been discovered, and at school the teacher tells you that the highest mountain is the one called Kanchenjunga, or Dhaulagiri, for example. Even in the 19th century, many were convinced that the highest point on our planet is anything but Everest. Only in 1852 was it confirmed that Everest is the highest point on our planet. The height of the mountain is 8848 meters above sea level and increases by 4 millimeters annually due to plate movement. In addition, earthquakes in Nepal can move Everest and even change its height. So, modern scientists continue to argue that none of the measurements of the height of Everest, either from the Chinese or from the Nepalese side, is correct. Chomolungma continues to grow. The continental plates do not stand still, they are constantly pushing Everest higher and higher.

Curiously, the exact height of the mountain is still a matter of dispute. Back in 1856, when British explorers first measured the height of the peak with a theodolite, it was recorded as 8,840 m (or 22,002 feet). Currently, the official height of Everest is 8.848 m (29.029 ft). To imagine how high Everest is, it is enough to understand that its highest point is located almost at the level of a fighter plane flight. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that the slopes of this mountain are not inhabited by animals and birds due to high pressure and rarefied air. However, Everest is home to one rare species of spider that hides in the crevices of the mountains. This insect feeds on other frozen insects that get to the top with winds and snow masses.

Neighborhood

The Everest massif consists of several individual peaks such as Changse at 7,580m (24,870ft), Nuptse at 7,855m (58,772ft) and Lhotse at 8,516m or 27,940ft. At the time of the discovery of these peaks, it was very difficult to measure the height of a mountain peak with accuracy. At that time, special devices called theodolites were used to measure height, the weight of which was more than 500 kg (1.100 pounds), and the forces of 10-15 people were required to move such a device. Several attempts were made to measure the exact height of Mount Everest, and only in 1949, shortly before the first ascent, was it finally possible to obtain accurate data.

The nearest place where people live is Rongbuk, a Buddhist temple that was founded back in 1902. It was reconstructed not so long ago after being completely destroyed in the 70s of the last century, during civil war. Currently, this place becomes the last living quarters on the path of climbers to the top of the world. In Rongbuk, you can stay in a small hotel and even dine in a tiny restaurant.

About height

For almost three hundred years, the highest known point on Earth was Chimborazo, a volcano in the Andes. Its height is "only" 6.267 meters. In the 19th century this version was destroyed as the new champion became known to the world - the peak of Nanda Devi in ​​India with a height of 7.816 meters. It may seem ridiculous, but today Nanda Devi only ranks 23rd in the list of the highest mountains in the world. But there is a reason that the listed peaks were indeed the highest points of the world known at that time: after all, Nepal, which is called the roof of the world for a reason, was closed to everyone for a long time.

Everest is officially one of the most polluted mountains in the world. due to the lack of infrastructure and the presence of a constant influx of tourists. Numerous groups leave behind a huge amount of garbage, ranging from simple food bags to oxygen tanks and old equipment, which are stored and accumulated for decades on the slopes of this mountain, considered sacred to local residents.

Scientists keep finding remains marine life, which were fossilized in the structure of rocks 450 million years ago, at a time when the surface of Everest was not yet a peak or mountain, but remained part of the seabed. The Himalayas formed only 60 million years ago. The record holders for visiting the peak of Everest are two Sherpas: Apa Sherpa and Tashi Purba, who managed to climb the peak 21 times, having the opportunity to admire the alpine landscape of the Himalayan mountains from the highest point.

Mortality

Unfortunately, Mount Everest turned out to be a very difficult place to climb and is rightfully considered one of the most dangerous peaks on Earth. The danger lies in record low temperatures and air with a low oxygen content, frequent landslides and avalanches that took many lives of local residents and climbers who decided to overcome this height. The greatest tragedy in the history of Everest occurred in 2014 when a huge avalanche killed 16 local Nepalese guides. It happened near one of the base camps. The second largest was the tragedy of 1996, when 15 climbers did not return from the ascent.

These people died for various reasons, some due to the use of inadequate equipment, others due to lack of oxygen in the tanks or unexpected changes in weather conditions that made it impossible to return to the base camp. The third in terms of the number of victims was the unsuccessful expedition of 2011, when 11 people remained forever in the snows of the Himalayan mountains. All of them are buried in the snow and ice of Everest. Avalanches and rockfalls are the most common causes mortality on the slopes of Everest.

Everest base camps

For those who decide to climb Everest, there are, as mentioned earlier, two options - start climbing from China or follow the Nepalese route. In order to get used to atmospheric pressure and acclimatize at altitude, two main base camps are equipped. In any of them, each tourist will be able to spend the necessary amount of time for the body to get used to the new conditions, since acclimatization in this case will help prevent altitude sickness. Both camps have doctors who can advise climbers and assess the health of each before climbing. Staying for some time at the base camp helps to avoid health problems associated with pressure changes.

The southern camp is located on the Nepal side, and the Northern camp is on the Tibetan (Chinese) side of Everest. Despite the fact that the northern camp in summer days can even be reached by car, the camp on the south side is becoming more and more popular. And, of course, all the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, who were previously engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, are now fully focused on providing visitors with everything they need. They help in transporting things and supplies to the upper intermediate checkpoints, in cooking, and offer various products. In addition to the main intermediate camps on the way to Everest, there are several others located both before and after the main two. They are intermediate stations on the way to conquer the top of the world.

The supply of food and equipment to the southern base camp is carried out by Sherpa porters, since transport connection in this region is not possible. Food, medicine and everything needed is delivered with the help of yaks, local beasts of burden.

ascent

If you think that everyone can climb Everest, you just have to really want to, you are very mistaken. Firstly, it is very expensive, about $60,000. Climbing the highest mountain in the world is not just a fun adventure. It is important to understand that this is not an ordinary cozy tourism, but a challenge and the risk of mortal danger. Every year, several tourists die in an attempt to conquer this rocky peak: someone falls into an abyss or a gap between glaciers, someone cannot withstand high temperatures, and someone falls ill with altitude sickness.

Naturally, for such a difficult test, you will need serious preparation and a huge amount of special equipment: shoes, clothes, tools and gadgets. Also required large group experts and assistants for the proper organization of the trip and many years of experience in climbing other peaks. But if we talk about the process itself, then it is, of course, unusually exciting. Regardless of which route you choose, it is recommended that you travel with a Sherpa companion. Today, the region is home to approximately 3,000 Sherpas, all of whom are top-notch guides, helpers, and porters, as well as mountain climbers. In short, the Sherpas are a nation of highlanders. If you've seen the famous photograph of the first human ascent of Everest, you'll understand how amazing, indescribable with words, the feeling at the top can be. As Tenzing Norgay admitted, "I wanted to jump, dance, these were the best feelings in my life, because I stood above the whole world."

The most popular season to climb Everest is spring. Autumn expeditions are less popular. By far the most popular way to climb Everest is through a guided expedition. This ensures that there is a professional with the group who knows the most reliable route to the top. In addition, you can rely on his knowledge and experience even in the most unpredictable situations, he is a reliable support and support for the group. The guide will be able to explain to the participants everything they need to know before starting the climb, help to choose the necessary equipment and check the physical condition, as well as the state of health of the participants, in advance.

Plan

The very first step in climbing Everest is to begin proper preparation, including getting serious experience climbing other peaks. These are very important requirements, since such an expedition is quite risky and dangerous and requires certain skills. It starts in one of the base camps (on the southern or northern slope), which is selected depending on the route and climbing plan. So, to get to the base camp, located at an altitude of about 5,000 m (16,000 feet) above sea level, participants will need about a week. Here they can talk to experienced guides, check their physical condition and get some rest before climbing Everest. Then, for additional fee, climbers can resort to the help of Sherpa mountaineers who will help to convey necessary equipment, food and oxygen bottles to intermediate camps.

How long does it take to climb Everest?

Of course, climbing to the top of the world does not mean walking along picturesque snow-covered slopes. For less trained climbers and for those who have at least a minimal risk of developing any disease, the acclimatization period for medium height(in the base camp at an altitude of 5100 meters above sea level) in some cases it can reach 30-40 days. For a whole month you will be surrounded by Sherpas and your companions until your body gets used to the pressure of the atmosphere and the lack of oxygen. Only then can you continue climbing. On average, when it comes to tourist expeditions, the duration of the entire ascent (from the moment you arrive in Kathmandu to being at the highest point on the globe) will be about 60 days. When everything is prepared, it will take about 7 days to climb from the base camp to the summit. After that, approximately 5 more days will be spent on the descent to the base camp.

First person to summit Everest

Although Edmund Hillary was the first person to set foot on the top of the world, many attempts to climb Everest were made long before him. Back in the twenties, a special expedition of the newly created Everest Committee developed the most optimal routes lift. It is not surprising that the members of this expedition were the first to set foot on the summit. sacred mountain”, what Everest was for the locals. And yet two completely different people, Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese climber Tenzing Norgay, jointly made the first successful ascent to the summit from the south side and finally managed to find themselves where no man had ever gone before.

In 1953, when this outstanding event finally happened, China closed Everest to any visits, and the world community allowed no more than one expedition per year. In conditions of low temperatures, constantly tormented by strong gusts of wind, Tenzing and Hillary, despite the need to stay in one place for several days in a row, were still able to conquer the highest point on the planet. Edmund Hillary dedicated his achievement to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, and it was best gift in honor of a landmark event in the UK. Although Hillary and Tenzing spent only 15 minutes on the mountaintop, those 15 minutes today are comparable only to the first steps on the moon.

The youngest person to ever reach the summit is an American eighth grader from California. He was only 13 years old on the day of the ascent. A resident of Nepal, a 15-year-old girl named Min Kipa Shira, became the second in the ranking of the youngest climbers who managed to conquer Everest. Her ascent was crowned with success in 2003. The oldest man to summit Everest was 80-year-old Miura Yuchiro from Japan, and the oldest woman was Tamae Watanabe from Japan, who climbed at the age of 73.

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